Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) enjoyed a near-perfect weekend in the Netherlands, claiming both Saturday's sprint and Sunday's Motul TT Assen, Round 8 of the 2024 MotoGP^TM World Championship. The MICHELIN Power Slick range delivered another strong performance to harvest even more new MotoGP^TM records.

- Bagnaia has edged closer to early pace-setter Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) in the provisional championship order after leading both Dutch races from lights-out to the checkered flag.

- The Italian got away cleanly from pole for Sunday afternoon's 26-lap showpiece on a combination of hard and medium MICHELIN Power Slicks front and rear. Martin (medium front and rear) started well, too, despite being handed a three-place grid penalty. He emerged on the Ducati Lenovo Team rider's tail at the end of Lap 1 but was never able to apply any real pressure thereafter. He wasn't aided by Bagnaia's exceptional consistency which saw him cross the line 3.676 seconds clear of the Spaniard. 

- The main focus of attention for the spectators was the battle for the third place which changed hands on several occasions. Bagnaia's team-mate Enea Bastianini (hard/medium Michelins) ended up clinching a footing on the podium when he prevented Vinales from harvesting the fruit of a strong run with three laps to go. Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGPTM) spent the entire race in the chasing pack and ultimately took the flag in fifth spot after passing Fabio Di Giannantonio (6th) last time around.

- The day's top 10 was rounded out by Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGPTM), Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing) and Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing).

- The grip and consistency delivered by the MICHELIN Power Slick range provided the riders with the confidence they needed to push throughout the bill-topping race at Assen. The majority of the field paired the hard front with the medium rear, the chief exception being Martin who opted for two mediums. Binder chose the soft front, while four riders fitted the soft rear. 

- Michelin contributed to more MotoGPTM records in the Netherlands, including new fastest track (1m31.340s) and race (1m31.866s) laps. Both were the work of Bagnaia. Nine other riders also bettered the former track record in qualifying. Sunday's grand prix (40m7.214s) saw the Italian shave almost 18 seconds off the previous shortest-duration benchmark. 

- The result in Assen saw Bagnaia (190 points) close the gap to Martin (200) in the provisional standings. Marc Marquez is third (+51), with Bastianini now fourth (+83).

- Saturday's fine weather provided ideal conditions for Rounds 9 and 10 of the 2024 ENEL MotoETM World Championship which were won respectively by Hector Garzo (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE) and Alessandro Zaccone (Tech3 E-Racing). Their electric Ducatis were equipped with specific MICHELIN Power Slicks that contain 50 percent renewable/recycled raw materials (average per set). Mattia Caseidi (LCR E-Team) tops the provisional standings.

- Next round: Liqui Moly Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland, Sachsenring, Germany (July 5-7).